Business Case for Creating Respectful Workplaces in Sri Lanka - International Finance Corporation (IFC)

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Between 2020 and 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) conducted a study to better understand the prevalence and impact of violence and harassment on employees and businesses in Sri Lanka. This research covered workplace experiences and behaviors, and how these affect employees.

The findings presented in this report will be used to develop tools and resources to help companies prevent and address violence and harassment connected with the workplace. This study comprised a survey of 1,653 employees (8 percent of the total workforce of the participating companies), in-depth interviews with 43 employees from three companies, and a further 10 interviews with human resources managers in nine companies. Where relevant, policy documents, news articles, and research literature were used to support interpretation of this study’s findings. Once the research was completed, the findings were reviewed by a representative from both the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Sri Lanka.